Gresham was the director of the Thompson early childhood center and an active member of the Jacksonville Rotary Club. She also started a scholarship program for local students. Although she had an accomplished career, it was all for the children, the community and her family.

It was her calling to give back through teaching.

Eason describes Gresham as "someone who loved public education for what public education does, to make us all better as a society. We are a better school system because of 40 years of Kay Gresham's influence."

There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at Trinity United Methodist Church.